Source: press release
We present the new Damper 650b 2016. the 2015 Enduro Italian champion bike at its absolute debut in competitions led by our Alex Lupato.
The Damper 650b is our best seller, an aggressive All-mountain frame, with a hyper-functional rear triangle, very stable when pedaling and flawless on descents; progressive, independent under braking, rigid. In the latest classifications, the Damper 650b falls into that type of mtb so called by Over-mountain, suitable for tackling any type of route especially in the mountains, both uphill and downhill without disdaining whole days in the bike parks, Enduro or Marathon races downhill . An ideal bike for those who, while being able to afford only one bike, want a versatile vehicle that allows them to adapt to multiple riding styles riding. The evolution of such a functional and tested project was not easy and the new Damper 650b 2016 takes another step in growth and performance thanks to the hard development work done in the autumn with the FRM Factory Team and its riders Alex Lupato and Andrea Pirazzoli which we are supporting with our frames this year. Hard work that led Alex Lupato to win the 2015 Italian Enduro championship using the new frame for the first time in the race.
WHAT'S NEW IN THE DAMPER 650B 2016
• new geometry with shorter rear stay and lower bottom bracket. The seat angle has been increased to 74.8 ° while the steering angle has been increased to 65,5 °.
• completely redesigned rear stay with new stealth sabers discharged only internally. New pipes and new design of the connection of the chainstays to the connecting rod joint.
• new hydro-formed down tube with larger sections, we worked a lot on the lower area, the coupling with the BB box to increase stiffness and make the bike more reactive to react quickly to the explosive power of Alex Lupato's legs. Despite being stiff, the new frame has lost about 120g.
• again with a view to stiffening the structure, the fixing brackets of the shock absorber and the upper connecting rod have been redesigned.
• we have redesigned the bottom bracket shell which now features a keyed quick coupling for fixing the removable ISCG brackets. Available in both ISCG05 and ISCG03 versions. The brackets can be replaced with a special spacer supplied with the frame if a 1 × 11 or 1 × 10 transmission is used.
• Straight seat tube to accommodate modern dropper post with Stealth preparation as standard
• choice between the Boost 148 (from September 2015) or 142 x 12 with the new MDE Allen axis
• New external graphics in Crystal safety control designed in collaboration with ForkOver Bike Protections (www.forkover.bike) to protect the frame where it is needed
TECHNICAL FEATURES
• 160mm of travel, with optimized I-Link suspension
• Marzocchi 053 S3C2R or Rock Shox Monarch Plus Debonair shock absorber
• shock absorber measures 216x63mm
• MDE dropout system with the possibility of 142 × 12 Maxle, 148 × 12 Boost, 150 × 12 Thru
• 3,00 kg size M finished RAW without shock absorber
• ZS44 tapered head tube above EC49 below
• compatible with Shimano's new side swing front derailleur
• 73mm threaded bottom bracket
• ISCG brackets replaceable and available in version 05 or 03
• possibility of use without ISCG support with special spacer
• 7005 Custom hydroformed aluminum pipes
• seat tube diameter 30,9 with stealth predisposition
• for wheels from 27,5 to 2,5 section
• frame hand built in Italy
WHY ALUMINUM
In our sector, carbon is becoming increasingly popular also for so-called gravity specialties where in the past it was rarely used. When we began to develop the new Damper we analyzed in detail the possibility of switching to the use of carbon but after a long research, drawings and calculations we came to the conclusion that the advantages that that material could give us in a project like that of the Damper they were not so fundamental indeed the increase in cost would not have justified the slightest advantage in terms of weight that carbon could give us. An aluminum frame well studied and developed around this material can still achieve great performance and compete on equal terms against much more expensive carbon products. The tests done and the results obtained in the competitions by the boys from our teams have confirmed our choice.
HOW THE BEHAVIOR OF THE DAMPER HAS CHANGED IN THIS NEW VERSION
The new Damper has a modern and effective geometry. The short stay and the general stiffness in addition to the more vertical seat tube, increase pedaling performance and the bike is very reactive and fast in the exit of the corners. The front triangle with elongated top tube and the 65,5 ° steering angle ensures excellent stability on the fast and the optimized I-link system absorbs all the roughness while remaining neutral when pedaling and effective when braking. The new Damper is an aggressive bike and will satisfy both the racer looking for absolute performance in the race and the enthusiast looking for an All-mountain bike that is very pedalable uphill and with high performance downhill.
NEW SITE, PRICES AND HOW TO BUY IT
On the occasion of the presentation of the new Damper we have also published our new official website, updated and revised in many features. Now it is easier to analyze all the characteristics of our frames and proceed to the choice of the various options available directly in the online configurator from which you can then proceed to order your new frame or your new bike deciding whether to receive it at home fully assembled or in assembly kit. In addition to frames with or without shock absorbers, we offer some specific set-ups. For the Damper we have developed 3 montages of different levels. Starting from the Replica Team, the bike identical to the one used by Alex Lupato and the Team Factory FRM, top level suspension by Marzocchi, full FRM components, Sram X01 group. This is followed by an intermediate assembly called Race with Marzocchi suspension or Rock Shox option, some details such as wheels, handlebars and FRM anchor and Sram X1 1 × 11 group. Finally the Comp version with Sram GX 2 × 10 group, Mavic wheels and Truvativ components. All mountings include the Rock Shox Reverb Stealth seatpost. Below you will find the characteristics of the assemblies and the real prices. The bike can already be ordered on our site with delivery in 30 days.
The new Damper is built in Italy by expert and passionate hands, it is a modern and aggressive bike, in its DNA there are competitions and high performance but also and above all the love for the mountains which has always been the main stimulus that us. pushes to create our mtb. Have Fun
